Mardy fish

On November 3, Gov. Wolf signed House Bill 2528 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) into law that would set aside 20 percent of the new federal funding to plug conventional oil and gas wells for a new Orphan Well Plugging Grant Program. The bill amends language allowed to become law in July in House Bill 2644-- Act 96 to fix significant problems with the grant program that conflicted with the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law well plugging program making it totally unworkable. The new changes also include provisions prohibiting grants going to conventional oil and gas companies that have any unresolved violations of environmental laws and regulations, something missing entirely from the July statute. Ban On Increasing Bond Amounts Remains In spite of the fact House Bill 2528 amends the same section of law, no changes were made in the provisions of Act 96 from July that prohibits DEP from increasing well plugging bond amounts for conventional oil and gas operators for 10 years. That la...

On November 1, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) announced the launch of its new podcast series, We Are Nature, with the first episodes available now.  The new series, comprised of 11 regular episodes and several bonus episodes, features 30 interviews with museum researchers, organizers, policy makers, farmers, and science communicators about climate action in Southwestern Pennsylvania.  The goal of the series is to share how humans can create–and are already working towards–a livable, just, and joyous future.  The series is created, produced, and hosted by Pittsburgh-based filmmaker and environmental educator Michael Pisano. Science communicator and former CMNH program manager Taiji Nelson joins as co-host and co-producer. Field reporters Di-ay Battad, David Kelley, and Jamen Thurmond round out the production crew.  The first episode, entitled “This Is an Emergency, Not an Apocalypse,” featuring interviews with Radiolab creator Jad Abumrad and CMNH Curator of Anthropoc...

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the October 29 PA Bulletin that it has leased 176 acres of Susquehanna River streambed to SWN Natural Gas Production Company in Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County for $704,000. The lease allows for the development of oil and natural gas below and between the ordinary low water marks of the Susquehanna River solely by means of directional, including horizontal, drilling on a nondevelopment basis that will not disturb the river or its bed. Click Here for a copy of the lease amendment. Questions should be directed to the Department's Bureau of Forestry, Minerals Division, (717) 787-2703. Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.   For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter...

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a hearing on water requests on November 9 and its next quarterly business meeting December 7.  Both will be held via Zoom. The November 9 hearing will begin at 1:30.  Items to be heard include 19 draft dockets for withdrawals, discharges and other projects that could have a substantial effect on the Basin's water resources, all of which are listed below. The business meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. Click Here for detailed agenda information and instructions on how to join the hearing and meeting. For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Delaware River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for regulator updates.  Follow DRBC on Twitter.  Visit them on YouTube.[Posted: October 27, 2022]  PA Environment Digest

Are You Telling Your Story? Warning! Last Voting Days This Session!  Hold Onto Your Butts! (And Tax Money!) Senate returns to session October 24, 25, 26, November 15 [Adjourn for year]      -- Committee Schedule House returns to session October 24, 25, 26, November 14, 15, 16 [Adjourn for year]      -- Committee Schedule TODAY’s Calendar Of Events    -- DEP/SRBC Permit Notices -- Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities [PaEN]    -- Southwestern PA Grassroots Town Halls Hosts Oct. 24 Virtual Program On Eyes On Shell Ethane Plant Campaign In Beaver County  [PaEN]   -- House Committee Meets Oct. 24 To Consider Gas Royalty, Diesel Engines In Coal Mines Bills  [PaEN]   -- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: York County Creek Worst In The Country For PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ Pollution, Study Says   -- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Health Dept. Responds To Air Quality Warnings    -- DEP Posted 52 Pages Of Permit-Related Public Notices In Oct. 22 PA Bulletin [PaEN]   -- PennFutur...

Are You Telling Your Story? Senate returns to session October 24, 25, 26, November 15 [Adjourn for year]      -- Committee Schedule House returns to session October 24, 25, 26, November 14, 15, 16 [Adjourn for year]      -- Committee Schedule TODAY’s Calendar Of Events    -- DEP Posts Formal Notice Of Availability Of Abandoned Mine Land, Mine Drainage Grants   -- DEP Begins Accepting Applications For $103.4 Million In Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants Starting Oct. 24  [PaEN]   -- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Award $3.5 Million In Grants To Restore, Protect Habitats In Chesapeake Bay Watershed; 4 In PA Totalling $1.48 Million  [PaEN] -- Celebrating 10 Years Of Volunteers Impact - Greening The Lower Susquehanna - By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center  [PaEN] -- East Lampeter Twp. First Municipality To Partner With Lancaster Revolving Water Fund On Pay-For Performance Contract On Improving Water Quali...